The 5-Step Wealth Plan That Unlocked $25K for a Woman Entrepreneur and Put It to Work

Organize your money, invest with confidence, and build wealth — even with irregular income and a busy life.

When my client Mary first sat down with me, she looked like so many successful women entrepreneurs I meet. From the outside, she had it all: a thriving business bringing in multiple six figures, clients she loved, and the flexibility to design her work around her life.

But behind the scenes?

Mary was overwhelmed.

Her money was scattered across accounts. Her debt was costing her thousands in interest. Her retirement savings were barely moving.

“I feel like I’m making too much money to feel this stressed about it,” she told me.

That’s when I knew: Mary didn’t need to hustle harder. She needed a financial system that worked as hard as she did. 

In just three months, we built a 5-step wealth plan – what I call the Personal Finance Warrior Wealth Builder Plan – that freed up $25,000 and positioned her to build lasting wealth alongside her business.

Here’s exactly how we did it.

Step 1: Shift $50K in Debt from 24% to 0% Interest

When we first looked at Mary’s accounts, one number made my heart stop. She had more than $50,000 on credit cards at nearly 24% interest.

If you’ve ever carried high-interest debt, you know what this means —hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars every month evaporating into interest payments, with no progress toward principal.

The first move? Stop the bleeding.

We transferred $50K to multiple 0% APR balance transfer cards, giving her 18 months of interest-free breathing room.

That single move saved her over $12,000 in interest that year.

She didn’t have to work harder, find new clients, or raise her rates. She simply needed a smarter strategy. 

“You don’t need more clients to build wealth. You need the right financial plan.”

Step 2: Establish an Easy-to-Use Money System for Irregular Income

Mary’s income was strong, but her money had no structure.

It came in, bills got paid, and the rest floated between accounts.

Using my Personal Finance Warrior Money Flow System, we created a simple, three-account system that gave every dollar a job:

• Emergency Business Account: 3-6 months of business expenses in a high interest savings account 
• Retirement Account: A set percentage automatically moved here every month, and reducing her tax bill 
• Wealth Account: a non-negotiable contribution to her investment account, even if it was just a few hundred dollars at a time.

The beauty of this system? It solved the challenge of irregular income. The emergency account became her safety net during the slow months, while retirement and wealth continued to grow consistently.

Almost immediately, Mary felt the shift: “I finally know where my money’s going — and it feels like I’m actually building something.”

Step 3: Consolidate Investment Accounts for Clarity and Growth 

Like many entrepreneurs, Mary had accounts scattered all over the place. An old 401(k) from her corporate days, a couple of brokerage accounts she barely remembered, and the retirement account she opened when she launched her business.

That fragmentation costs more than time. It can mean:

• higher fees
• missed opportunities 
• cash sitting idle instead of growing

We consolidated her accounts into one streamlined platform. Now she had:

• One dashboard to track her progress
• Lower fees
• A clear, intentional investment strategy

Simplifying gave Mary visibility and control over her money. For the first time, she could see exactly how each dollar was working toward her goals.

Step 4: Invest Cash Sitting on the Sidelines

Mary had a sizeable chunk of cash “just in case.”

The problem? It was sitting in a checking account, earning less than 0.1%.

We ensured she had four months of monthly expenses for her emergency fund. This was in a high interest savings account generating interest. She then put the rest to work in her retirement accounts.

This single move added $10,000 contribution to her investments, which started compounding right away.

“Cash is important. Though cash doing nothing is a missed opportunity.” 

By moving idle dollars into her wealth plan, Mary accelerated her path to long-term financial freedom. 

Step 5: 10x Her Retirement Contributions with a Solo 401(k)

Before we started, Mary was contributing about $3,000 a year to her retirement. It was better than nothing, but it wasn’t even close to what she could contribute to create this financial freedom account. 

The game-changer? Opening a Solo 401(k). Unlike a traditional IRA, which caps annual contributions at $7,000, a Solo 401(k) allows entrepreneurs to invest significantly more — up to $70,000 depending on income.

By freeing up cash from debt savings, streamlining her Money Flow System, and investing her sidelined dollars, Mary now had the capacity to contribute $30,000 in a single year.

That’s ten times more than before, and those dollars will now compound for decades, accelerating her wealth and path to financial freedom. 

This is why I often tell women entrepreneurs looking to build wealth: your business isn’t just an income engine. It can be your most powerful tool for retirement planning and financial independence.

👉For a deeper dive, I wrote an article on How Women Entrepreneurs Can 10x Their Retirement.

The Bottom Line: The Power of the PFW Wealth Builder Plan

In just 3 months, Mary:

• Saved over $12,000 in interest
• Invested $13,000 more toward her future
• Gained a clear, automated money system that works even with unpredictable income

That’s an extra $25,000 in her accounts, plus the confidence of knowing her money is finally working for her.

Her story isn’t about luck, windfalls or more hustle. It’s about organization, optimization, and intention with a financial plan. 

Your Next Step to Start Today

If you’re a woman entrepreneur reading this, hear me clearly: 

You don’t have to wait for “more” — more income, more stability, more time — to start building wealth.

You begin right now. 

• Give your dollars a job.
• Put them to work.
• Build wealth alongside your business — not after.

The sooner you start, the sooner you will create not only a thriving business, but also the path to financial freedom. 

📌Download my free wealth-building checklist for women entrepreneurs: 5 Steps to Build Wealth.  Pin it by your desk and start organizing, optimizing, and growing your money today.

“Your money should work as hard as you do.” 

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About Kelly Gushue, Wall Street Insider Turned Financial Coach 

Ready to create your PFW Wealth Builder Plan? I teach 6- & 7-figure women entrepreneurs how to create a financial roadmap and build wealth alongside their business. 

👉 For Entreprenista members, book a complimentary PFW Financial Freedom Call.   

With two decades of Wall Street investment experience at JPMorgan, Citi, and Fidelity, I simplify wealth building for busy women entrepreneurs. From a childhood paper route to Harvard and a Chicago Booth MBA, my global perspective and practical investment strategies help women turn business income into lasting personal wealth—without jargon or overwhelm.

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